Hurricanes and Surging Senators Set for Playoff Clash

Top-seeded Hurricanes host eighth-seeded Senators in first-round series opener

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:12am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators, with the players and ice rink broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.The Hurricanes and Senators' first-round playoff clash promises an intense, fast-paced battle between two teams heading in opposite directions.Today in Raleigh

The Carolina Hurricanes, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, will host the eighth-seeded Ottawa Senators in the opening game of their first-round playoff series. The Senators have been one of the NHL's hottest teams over the past couple of months, while the Hurricanes are a playoff-tested squad looking to make another deep postseason run.

Why it matters

This matchup pits two teams heading in opposite directions. The Hurricanes secured the top seed in the East after a strong regular season, while the Senators surged late to claim the final playoff spot. The outcome of this series could set the tone for the rest of the Hurricanes' playoff journey and determine whether the Senators' late-season momentum carries over.

The details

The Hurricanes will have home-ice advantage in the series, but the Senators have been one of the league's best teams since the start of 2026, going 26-12-6 over that stretch. Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour has not yet named a starting goaltender, with both rookie Brandon Bussi and veteran Frederik Andersen playing well down the stretch. Ottawa will turn to Linus Ullmark in net, who has won his last four starts. The Hurricanes won two of the three regular-season meetings between the teams, with Bussi picking up both victories.

  • The series opener is set for this afternoon in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • Game 2 will be played on Monday night.

The players

Rod Brind'Amour

Head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, who led the team to the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Warren Foegele

Forward for the Ottawa Senators, a former Carolina player who is aware of the playoff atmosphere in Raleigh.

Brandon Bussi

Rookie goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes, who picked up two regular-season wins against the Senators.

Frederik Andersen

Veteran goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes, who has played in 32 playoff games for the team and 85 total postseason contests in his career.

Linus Ullmark

Goaltender for the Ottawa Senators, who has won his last four starts and will be the starter for the playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“We've been eager for this for a long time. Once we knew it was official, and we were in a pretty good spot all year, we've got to turn the page now. It goes to being a sprint. We know the season's a marathon, and now all of a sudden you've got to be ready right from the get-go and put your best foot forward.”

— Rod Brind'Amour, Head Coach, Carolina Hurricanes

“The stuff that every kid dreams about doing is getting an opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup.”

— Warren Foegele, Forward, Ottawa Senators

“They play fast, they play aggressive, they're in your face. They're an experienced team. They've been there.”

— Warren Foegele, Forward, Ottawa Senators

What’s next

The winner of this series will advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The takeaway

This first-round matchup between the top-seeded Hurricanes and the surging Senators promises to be an exciting and hard-fought series. The Hurricanes' playoff experience and the Senators' late-season momentum will make for a compelling clash as both teams vie for a spot in the next round.